story time

credit goes to my management professor who told us this story in class today during a lecture on leadership.

There was a cabin boy who had just begun working on a ship. One day there was a cry from the crow's nest that warned them that a pirate ship was attacking. The captain said to the boy, "quickly! get my red shirt!" The boy ran to get the shirt and the captain put it on. The crew fought off the pirates, and afterwards the captain gave the red shirt back to the boy to put away.
A few days later there was another shout from the crow's nest. This time 3 ships were heading towards them. The captain again said to the boy, "get me my red shirt!" The boy got it, and the captain put the shirt on and fought off the 3 ships with his crew.
Later the boy asked the captain, "sir? why do you always ask for me to get you your red shirt when pirates are attacking?" The captain explained to the boy that he wore red so that if he got wounded, his crew would not be able to see the blood and would continue to fight strongly if they thought the captain was ok.
Several days after that, there was yet another warning cry. This time 10 ships were heading towards them. The boy ran to the captain and asked, "sir, shall I get your red shirt for you?"
The captain said "no boy, get me my brown pants."

=D